"Drill Bits and pinning ?" Topic

How many drill bits do you go through for pinning?

I swear I go through at least 2 every time I have pin something.

With the dremel I do not have so much trouble with. It is mostly with the pin vice, I can never get it to actually dig without putting a bunch of pressure on it. So its either spinning and doing nothing, or it breaks.

Should I be using a special brand/type of drill bit for pinning pewter?

I've lost one in my lifetime. The drills are too stinking expensive to go through too many! My set cost $25 USD 19 years ago.

Try rubbing the drill in a bit of bees wax. Helps the drill not lock up when drilling. Don't press too hard?

So when you use a bit in the pin vice, it takes a great deal of pressure to get an effect, but with the same bit in the Dremel it works fine?

This will sound odd, but are you turning the pin vice in the right direction? I once tried to drill (with a power drill) through a piece of 14ga steel with the drill (unknowingly) set in reverse … could not figure out why it was taking SO long, until I thought to check the direction switch!

Doug

your probably not sinking the bit deep enough into the pin vice thus it bends while under pressure

In about 10 years I've only broken 2 drill bits. No offense, but either your technique is wrong, or you are buying some substandard drill bits. What company's bits are you using? I use mostly Dremel bits and the ones that came with the GW pin vise, and they both work well.

Maybe you aren't being patient enough, and end up putting too much pressure on? Drilling some white metal castings can be a bit slow. Both of my broken bits occurred when I first started using a pin vise, I haven't had one break in ages, which I attribute to developing a better touch for applying light but steady pressure while drilling.

And like napthyme said, put the bit deep into the vise.

Are you trying to drill in water deeper than 5000 feet?

It also helps if you make a mark first by push something sharp and hard into the spot where you want to drill. (I use a pointy tungsten scriber for this, but I've also used the point on a drawing compass, a small nail, etc.) It acts like a shallow pilot hole for the bit so you don't have to push so hard to get things started. Also, go slow with the twist drill as tiny drill bits heat up and will fail from metal fatigue.

There are some bits that are poorly made and will break under normal pressure.

I get mine from widgetsupply.com
link

Using bits takes practice and patience especially with a pin vise.

Another consideration is the metal you are trying to drill thru. Some companies use really hard carp that takes forever to drill thru.

If the metal isnt really soft I start with a vise to get an accurate start and then finish with a dremel.

Try to not snap them off in the figure because you will never use that hole again which may ruin the mini.

I haven't broken any lately. Mainly nowadays I can tell when it's binding and can back off. Even a variable Dremel turns way too fast for 15mm and smaller IMHO.

I manage to break one or two bits every year -- I sometimes do a great deal of work with my pin vices (3).

Score your work with a #11 blade to start. Bits get dull. Sometimes you need a new one.

A bit will only take so much pressure. I guess experience will teach you how much. I use three different size bits for most jobs.

I almost NEVER use a dremel for drilling out figs / airplanes. I don't feel like I have the kind of control I get with a pin vice.

Just me I guess but . . . . I haven't damaged a figure in a very long time.

mjc

Yeah, I also never use my Dremel for pinning. The pin vise is much safer and more precise. The Dremel is mostly used for beveling wooden bases.

Use a hand drill, not a power drill.
Takes a while by bits last forever.

Also, get TiN tipped drills (DeWalt, etc)
Good quality bits will last decades

Every once in a while, usually when I get impatient.

If you get better results with the Dremel, just use the Dremel. I never, ever use a pin vice.
-Kle.

I find the dremel great for pinning Heavy Gears. Basically its mounted in the dremel drill press and within a couple minutes I have all the pin holes made for an entire squad.

One for the head, each arm, each shoulder, torso, back, v-engine, and legs. I could not imagine doing that with a pin vise. I would be there forever.

I also use it fro GW plastics because again, its quick (except when you get melted plastic on the bit).

I think the only reason the dremel works is because of the speed it is spinning at.

Its the GW metals that I am finding the hardest time drilling.

I am probably using low quality bits. They came from Harbour Frieght and Mircro Mark. The ones from micro mark would snap if you dropped them. Probably explains why they were on clearance.

I will try the once mentioned.

Yep, I broke it in the hole I was drilling to base Saruman last night. Totally ed me off because I didnt have another bit to redrill with.

thanks to Rogzombie for the link! EXACTLY what I was looking for, (replacement bits for my pin vise!)….

Slishfully,
Sgt DWW-btod

Ok guys, if you want pinning bits for your drill here you go

link

IF you have on of their stores close the bits are located in the same area as the large bits and dremel stuff but you might have to ask.

I've used these exclusively for a few years now and at $3.99 USD they do work good have a nice assortment of sizes for pinning and at the price if one breaks you don't feel bad at all other than that hole in your finger ;)

I will say from experience though putting them in a dremel is not always a good idea. I prefer a cordless screwdriver with a hex chuck from micromark or a pin vise. The dremel is just to fast and you end up either burning yourself on the part your trying to pin or you end up with a meltdown or the part. And yes you can metal mini parts hot enough to melt from drill friction.

Standard steel bits like those shown will work well UNTIL THEY GET DULL. I do much head and hand conversions and do not break bits. I do make a hole with pin or exacto blade point to start. I will electric drill small and then pin vice drill to make the hole larger.

See here for example of bit
picture

There are some bits that are very brittle. These are often listed a aerospace industry surplus bits. 50 for $10. USD They look like this
picture

These break with any slight angling.